System for rupturing pod containing processing fluid for photographic material

ABSTRACT

A system for rupturing a pod having a weakened edge portion and containing processing fluid for photographic material and for expelling the fluid therefrom. The fluid filled pod is mounted adjacent a support surface and protected by a flexible cover plate. A rigid member is initially disposed between the cover plate and the support surface adjacent the end of the rupturable pod furtherest removed from the pod&#39;&#39;s weakened portion. Extending along the inside face of the cover plate is a rib which initially presses the section of the pod adjacent thereto against the support plate so that substantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between the rib and the support plate. The cover plate includes access means whereby externally mounted force applying means may be introduced into the space between the cover plate and the support surface to displace the rod across the length of the pod. The cover plate is deflected by the rod during its displacement across the pod and at the same time presses the rod firmly against the pod. This system can advantageously be employed in a compact multipurpose film handling cassette adapted to be inserted into a unique processor-projector unit containing the aforementioned force applying means.

Unite States Baker et al.

gatet [54 SYSTEM FOR RUPIURING POD CONTAINING PROCESSING FLUID FORPHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL [72} Inventors: Philip G. Baker, Peabody; GeraldH. Cook, Lynnfield; Rogers B. Downey, Lexington, all of Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

22 Filed: July 3,1969

21 Appl.No.: 838,783

52 us. or. ..95/89 n,95/13,'95/90.5, 352/130 58 Field 61 Search.....95/13 R, 89 R, 90.5; 352/130 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,576,022 11/1951 Land .'...'..95/13 3,297,397 1/1967 Grant..352/172 3,383,998 5/1968 Takatsm'. ..95/905 2,124,907 7/1938 Bunting..222 93 2,797,625 7/1957 Fairbank. ..95/89R Primary ExaminerSamuel S.Matthews Assistant Examiner-Monroe H. Hayes AttorneyBrown and Mikulka,W. D. Roberson and R. L. Berger 7 i [57] ABSTRACT A system for rupturinga pod having a weakened edge portion and containing processing fluid forphotographic material and for expelling the fluid therefrom. The fluidfilled pod is mounted adjacent a support surface and protected by aflexible cover plate. A rigid member is initially disposed between thecover plate and the support surface adjacent the end .of the rupturablepod furtherest removed from the pods weakened portion. Extending alongthe inside face of the cover plate is a rib which initially presses thesection of the pod adjacent thereto against the support plate so thatsubstantially no fluid is disposed within the pod between the rib andthe support plate. The cover plate includes access means wherebyexternally mounted force applying means may be introduced into the spacebetween the cover plate and the support surface to'displace therodacross the length of the pod. The cover plate is deflected by the rodduring its dis placement across the pod and at thesame time presses therod firmly against the pod.

This system can advantageously be employed in a compact multi-purposefilm handling cassette adapted to be inserted into a uniqueprocessor-projector unit containing the aforementioned force applyingmeans.

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ATTORNEYS G POD CONTAINING PROCESSING FLUID FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC MAT 1 I" 5BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1'. Field of Invention This inventionrelates to photography and, more particularly, to an improved system forrupturing a pod containing processing fluid for photographic material.

removed from the container and subjected to a series of operations inorder to produce visible images from the images recorded thereon duringthe exposure operations. The fully developed film strip is then rewoundonto a reel at the laboratory and returned to the user. The extendeddelay normally incurred between the time exposed film is sent to thelaboratory and returned ready for viewing has proved to be a significantinconvenience to the user and a source of great annoyance.

The field of still photography isno longer hampered by extensive periodsof delay associated with the processing of exposed film. The impact onthe public of the one-step photographic process employing diffusiontransfer techniques is a matter of record and generally well known. Thehome still photographer can now enjoy the fruits of his efforts in amatter of seconds. This important convenience has been available to theamateur still photographer for many years.

Most recently, important technological advances have made it possiblefor the home photographer interested in motion pictures to enjoy thissame convenience. Radically different systems have now been developedwhich permit the photographer himself to quickly and easily process andproject a strip of motion picture film shortly after the pictures havebeen taken. Exemplary of such new and unique systems are those describedin the following copending applications:

Serial No. Inventor(s) Date Filed 755,901 Edwin H. Land August 28, 1968now Pat. No. 3,615,127 761,771 Rogers B. Downey September 23, 1968 nowPat. No. 3,591,062 776,481 Rogers B. Downey November 1968 now Pat. No.3,537,784 722,789 Vaito K. Eloranta 772,789

Benjamin C. Ruggles November 1, 1968 now. Pat. No. 3,537,784 788,897Rogers B. Downey January 3, 1969 813,427 Rogers B. Downey April 4, 1969now Pat. No. 3,600,071 813,469 Rogers B. Downey April 4, 1969 now Pat.No. 3,608,455 813,586 Rogers B. Downey Paul W. Thomas April 4, 1969838,822 Rogers B. Downey Gerald B. Cook July 3, 1969 now Pat. No.3,627,407 838,794 Rogers B. Downey July 3, 1969 838,793 Philip G. BakerJuly 3, 1969 838,832 Rogers 13. Downey Philip G. Baker Gerald H. CookJuly 3, 1969 now Pat. No. 3,595,157

All of these copending applications are assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention. Each of the systems described in the aforementionedcopending applications most advantageously employ a cassette from whichthe film need not be removed during exposure, processing and projectionoperations.

In commercial and industrial operations, such rapid motion pictureprocessing systems are not only an improvement as a matter ofconvenience, but have other important effects as well. For instance,motion picture newsreel programs canbe presented on television to theviewing public shortly after events of interest have occurred and beenphotographed.

In some of these new systems the processing fluid is initially stored ina dispensing container having an applicator, in some the processingfluid is initially stored in a frangible container from which it islater released I into a reservoir of the cassette to facilitate theprocessing operation, .while in still others the processing fluid isinitially stored in a rupturable pod from which it can be expelled intoan applicator at the proper time. Considerable funds and effort'arecur-, rently being expended to further improve and refine variousfeatures of these systems in order to reduce their cost, to furthersimplify the task of the operator, to improve their reliability, and toimprove the quality of the final product. The present invention isdirected to an improved system for protecting a rupturable processingfluid containing pod, for subsequently rupturing that pod and forexpelling the fluid therefrom. This improved system is particularly wellsuited for use in a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette devisedfor insertion into a unique processor-projector unit, the overall systembeing adapted for operation by the photographer himself.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide animproved system for protecting a rupturable fluid containing pod frompremature accidental rup-- ture.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide an improvedsystem for-rupturing a-fluid containing pod.

An additional object of this invention is to provide an improved systemfor incorporating a rupturable processing fluid containing pod into afilm handling cassette.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved filmhandling cassette incorporating a rupturable processing fluid containingpod and means for selectively rupturing that pod.

Also, an object of this invention is to provide a cassette of the typementioned incorporating means for in-' dicating to the operator when theprocessing fluid containing pod has been ruptured.

A further'object of this invention is to provide apparatus for receivingcassettes of the type indicated and; for cooperating with the podrupturing means thereof to effect a rupturing of the pod.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are consideredcharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in. theappended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to itsorganization and its method of operation, together with additionalobjects and advantages thereof, will best be understoodfrom thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have beenemployed in the different figures to denote the same parts wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic. cutaway plan view of a compact multi-purposemotion picture film handling cassette embodying features of thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the cassette illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic cutaway plan view of the back face of thecassette of FIG. 1 illustrating the displaceable rigid memberincorporated in the cassette in its original position and the operablerelationship between that member and externally mounted force applyingmeans;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable pod ismounted within the cassette taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 isa view illustrating the manner in which the rupturable pod anddisplaceable rigid member are initially mounted within the cassettetaken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of theprocessor-projector unit embodying features of this inventionillustrating the cassette of FIG. 1 positioned therein; I

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatic vertical view of the cassettereceiving chamber of the processor-projector unit illustrated in FIG. 5depicting the cassette of FIG. 1 about to be inserted thereinto;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentarydiagrammatic sectional vertical view of analternate embodiment of the cassette receiving chamber and pod rupturingmeans of the processor-projector unit of this invention illustrating thecassette of FIG. I mounted therein; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of the cassette of FIG. I mounted in theprocessor-projector unit of FIG. 8 taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of this inventionbriefly turable pod may be generally rectangular in configuration andrelatively flat when filled with the processing fluid, with the weakenedportion comprising a seal along one end thereof. When mounted in theaforementioned recessed portion of the support member, one of therectangular faces of the pod is seated against a support surface. Aflexible cover plate is connected to the support plate so as to overliethe pod positioned within the recessed portion. This flexible coverplate includes a rib centrally positioned with respect to the pod andextending therefrom against the pod so that substantially no fluid isdisposed within the pod between the rib and the support surface. Thisarrangement prevents premature accidental rupturing of the pod. The ribextends a distance along the cover plate intermediate opposed ends ofthat plate, one end of the rib being positioned adjacent the weakenedseal of the pod. In applications where it is necessary to enhance theflexible nature of the cover plate, the rib may be V- shaped inconfiguration.

Intermediate the flexible cover plate and the support surface adjacentthe end of the pod furtherest removed from the pods weakened seal, thereis initially positioned a circular rod which extends the width of thepod in a direction parallel to the weakened seal. This rod is adapted tobe displaced along the pod intermediate the cover plate and the pod. Inthis respect, the

the length of the rib, this end of the rib serves to prevent anysubsequent displacement of the rod within the recessed portion of thesupport plate.

The flexible cover plate includes openings adjacent the initial positionof the displaceable rod to permit an externally mounted force applyingmeans to be introduced between the cover plate and the support surfaceto effect the aforementioned displacement of the rod. As the rod isdisplaced across the pod, it is pressed firmly against the pod by thecover plate. In this connection the cover plate is deflected outwardlyaway from the pod by the rod: and, if necessary, externally mountedrestraining means may be positioned to limit the extent to which thecover plate is permitted to be deflected in a direction away from thepod. During its displacement, the rod first causes the pod to ruptureand then the processing fluid to be expelled therefrom.

Visual access means are provided through the cover plate adjacent thefinal displaced position of the rod so that an operator can readilyascertain whether the pod contained within the recessed portion of thesupport plate has been ruptured by noting the position of the rod.

Most advantageously, this unique system for rupturing a fluid containingpod may be incorporated into a compact multi-purpose motion picture filmhandling cassette. Such a cassette may include coplanar supply andtakeup spools to which respective ends of a strip of unexposedphotographic material are fixed. Substantially the entire length of theunexposed photographic film strip is initially coiled around the supplyspool and, in reaching the takeup spool, passes across an applicator andan exposure and projection station. The applicator communicates with theweakened seal of the rupturable pod so that when the processing fluid isexpelled from the pod it is fed to the applicator. A light reflectingelement is positioned within the exposure and projection station withthe film strip passing through thatstation intermediate of that elementand a film gate of the cassette.

This film handling cassette is adapted to be first mounted in a camerafor exposure operations. During these operations, the processing stationis inoperative and the photosensitive film strip is progressively drawnacross the film gate onto the takeup spool. After the picture takingprocess has been completed, the cassette may be withdrawn from thecamera, and inserted into a specially configured processor-projectorunit. This unit includes a pair of arms adapted to enter the cassettethrough the openings provided in its flexible cover plate during theinsertion process to displace the rod along the cassettes rupturablepod. Restraining means of the processor-projector unit limit thedeflection of the cassettes flexible plate during this insertion and podrupturing operation.

Drive means of the processor-projector unitfirst engage the cassettessupply spool to return the exposed film strip from the takeup spool tothe supply spool. During this operation, the exposed film strip passesacross the applicator and draws processing fluid therefrom to form auniform coating of the fluid along its entire surface. Drive means ofthe processor-projector unit engaging the cassettes takeup spool maythen be energized to return the processed film strip across thecassettes film gate in front of the light reflecting element to thetakeup spool for projection operations.

In an alternate embodiment of the processor-projec-' tor unit adapted toreceive the cassette described above, the force applying members of thatunit are initially disposed out of operable association with thecassettes displaceable rod when the cassette is first mounted in thatunit. These force applying members are displaceably disposed within theprocessor-projec- I tor unit so that they may be subsequentlyselectively in- DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferredembodiment of this invention is illustrated as facilitatingtheapplication of a compatible processing fluid to a film structurewhich comprises botha photosensitive image-recording layer and animage-receiving layer in which a visible image may be formed byimage-forming substances transferred by diffusion from thephotosensitive layer without necessitating the subsequent removal of theprocessed photosensitive layer. This highly desirable type of filmstructure is made possible by a developed negative image having lowcovering power.

In typical silver halide difiusion transfer-reversal processes for theproduction of black-and-white images, a silver halide developer and asilver halide solvent are applied in an aqueous alkaline solution toaphotoexposed silver halide stratum or emulsion where theydevelop'exposed silver halide to silver and react with unreduced silverhalide to form a soluble silver complex. This complex, in order to forma positive print, is transferred and reduced to silver on asilverreceptive stratum upon which the silver halide stratum has beensuperposed. It has generally been the practice, in the completion ofthis process, to separate the silverreceptive and silver halide stratain order to render the positive image visible, particularly when it isto be viewed in transmitted light.

However, as indicated above, the positive print may be rendered visiblewithout separation of the silver halide and silver receptive strata. Forexample, the silver receptive stratum may be so constituted as toprovide an unusually vigorous silver precipitating environment whichcauses the'silver deposited upon it, in com- P3Il9 with silver developedin the silver halide stratum, to possess very high covering power, i.e.,opacity for a given mass of reduced silver. If the silver halide is insuch a concentration as to give rise only when fully developed to apredetermined low maximum density, and if the silver complex is reducedto silver in a vigorous silver precipitating environment, the resultingnegative and positive images in superposition provide a composite thatpresents a good image for projection purposes as long as the images arecarried on a light-transmitting support. Since the silver halide stratumand the silver receptive stratum need not be separated, a simplicationof the overall silver halide diffusion transfer-reversal process isachieved.

A composite film assembly of this type as well as processingcompositions for producing a stable blackand-white image which can beviewed by transmitted light without the necessity of removing theprocessed negative image-containing photosensitive layer is shown inprior U. S. Pat. No. 2,861,885 of Edwin H. Land which issued on Nov. 25,1958. Other. composite film assemblies capable of producing photographicrecords which can beexhibited in full color without the necessity ofremoving the processed photosensitive layer are shown in prior'U. S.Pats.- of Edwin H. Land, No. 2,726,154 issued Dec. 6, 1955 and No.2,944,894 issued July 12, 1960. All of these prior patents are assignedto the assignee of the present invention.

However, it should be noted that the present invention is not directedto the chemistry by which visible images are formed in an exposedphotosensitive material and/or formed in an image receiving stratumassociated therewith. While the illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown effectingthe application of a compatible processingfluid to a film structure not requiring the removal of thephotosensitive layer after visible image formation is completed, theinvention itself is also applicable for use withother types ofprocessing fluids and film structures.

. The illustrated preferred embodiments of this invention may best beunderstood by first referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. As maybe seen therein, a compact multi-purpose film handling cassette i0 isbasically constituted by a pair of housing members ll and 12 connectedtogether to form an enclosed opaque housing. The housing member 12 isprovided with va recessed portion 13 and acover plate 14 which incombination define an enclosed section 15 separated from the mainsection 17 of the cassette l0.

, Cut-out portions of the housing members 11 and 12 define an opening 18through whichimage carrying light rays may enter and/or leave thecassette wand, further, through which an aperture plate of a camera orof a projector may be introduced into the cassette. In this embodiment,the cassette i0 is relatively flat and generally rectangularparallelepiped in configuration. A supply spool 20 and a takeup spool 22are coplanarly mounted within section 17 of the cassette it) forrotation about parallel axes. A strip of unexposed photographic material24,- of the type previously discussed and provided with perforations 25and leaders affixed to the supply spool 20 and to the takeup spool 22,is initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool.Passing from the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22, the strip ofphotographic material 24 sequentially travels around idlers 26, 28, 30,32 and 34. Advantageously, the idlers 30 and 32 are positioned inopposite corners or extremities of the cassette it) on the same side ofthe supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22. Additionally, the idler 28is advantageously positioned in the corner of the cassette 10 disposedon the other side of the supply spool 20 from the takeup spool 22 and onthe opposite side of those spools from the idlers 30 and 32.

A rupturable pod 36 is positioned in the section 15 of the cassette 10adjacent the housing member 12.-The nature of this pod, the manner inwhich it is mounted in the section of the cassette 10 and the means bywhich it is ruptured will be described in considerable detailhereinafter. However, at this point, it should be noted that this pod 36includes a weakened seal 38 connected to a fluid feeding device 40provided with an exit orifice 42. This orifice 42 in turn communicatesthrough an opening 44 in the housing member 12 with a fluid reservoirchamber 46 of a dispensing container 48. Extending from the dispensingcontainer 48 is a rectangular projection 300 which defines an orificethrough which processing fluid within the reservoir chamber 46 may beexpressed from the dispensing container. One edge of the end of theprojection 300 is formed with a taper 302, the purpose of which will subsequently become obvious.

Guide tracks 304 and 306 are formed in an outside face of the dispensingcontainer 48 for purposes ofslidably receiving an actuator 308. Thisactuator 308 is formed with a leaf spring 310, which engages the insideface of the wall 64 of the cassette 10 to firmly seat the actuator inthe guide tracks 304 and 306, and further, with a tang 312 extendingover and across the side of the dispensing container 48 from which theprojection 300 extends. A circular aperture 314 in the actuator 308 ispositioned in alignment with an elongated slot 316 passing through thecassette s wall 64 in order that an externally mounted force applyingmember may be received thereinto for purposes of effecting an upwarddisplacement of the actuator along the guide tracks 304 and 306 from itsposition as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. One end of a strip offlexible material 328 is spring mounted to the structure of the cassette10 while its other end is connected to the tang 312. This strip offlexible material 328 is disposed over the end of the rectangularprojection 300 and includes an opening (not shown) positioned to be outof alignment with the orifice of that projection when disposed in theposition illustrated in FIG. 1 and so as to be in alignment with thatorifice when the actuator 308 is displaced to its upwardmost positionalong the guide tracks 304 and 306.

Additionally, a support plate 330 is pivotably connected between theends of a uniquely configured U- shaped spring 332 mounted on thedispensing container 48. It will be noted. that this U-shaped spring 332includes an offset 334 adapted to be engaged by the tang 312 when it ispositioned as shown in FIG. 1.

Intermediate the idlers 28 and 30, the strip of photographic material 24is disposed between and in spaced apart relationship to the strip offlexible material 328 and the support plate 330. However, it will beappreciated that when the actuator 308 is displaced upwardly, the tang312 is removed from contact with the offset 334 in the spring 332thereby permitting the support plate 330 to slidably engage the strip ofphotographic material 24 against that section of the strip of flexiblematerial 328 disposed across the projection 300. Thus, when the actuator308 is in its position as shown in FIG. I, the dispensing container 48is sealed by the strip of flexible material 328 and the strip ofphotographic material 24 may be transported between and out of contactwith that strip of flexible material and the support plate 330. Also,whenever the actuator 308 is moved upwardly along the guide tracks 304and 306, the strip of flexible material 328 is displaced into anunsealing relationship with the dispensing container 48 and the supportplate 330 slidably engages the strip of photographic material 24 againstthe strip of flexible material.

The rupturable pod 36 initially contains a quantity of processing fluid58 (See FIG. 4) suitable to form visible images from images recorded onthe film strip 24du'ring exposure operations. This particular type ofrupturable pod-fluid feeding device-dispensing container system is thesubject of the vcopending application Ser. No. 813,469 by Rogers B.Downey filed Apr. 4, 1969. It should'be noted that, in the preferredembodiment, the capacity of the reservoir chamber 46 of the dispensingcontainer 48 is equivalent to or greater than that of the rupturable pod36. For instance, it has been found that approximately 2 cc. ofprocessing fluid is sufficient to treat 50 feet of Super-8 format film.Under such conditions, the pod 36 would have a capacity of 2 cc. and thecapacity of the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46 should be onthe order of 2 to 2% cc.

It will be appreciated that the application of a compressive forceprogressively along the length of the pod 36 towards its weakened seal38 and across the fluid feeding device 40 will first effect a rupturingof the pod and then cause the processing fluid 58 to be expelledtherefrom into the dispensing containers reservoir chamber 46. Once theprocessing fluid 58 has been expelled into the reservoir chamber 46 andthe actuator 308displaced upwardly from its position shown in FIG. 1,transport of the film strip in a direction from the takeup spool 22 tothe supply spool 20 will cause the film strip to draw processing fluidfrom the dispensing container 48 to form a fluid coating therealong.

The thickness of the strip of flexible material 328 is determinative ofthe thickness of the fluid coating applied to the film strip 24 and thetaper 302 provides a relatively sharp doctor blade for applying thatcoating 7 to the film strip.

Mounted between the housing member 12 and a wall 64 of the housingmember 11 is a light sealing arcuate member 66, one end of which ispositioned against the dispensing container 48. The other end of themember 66 is connected to one end of a second light sealing arcuatemember 68 which extends to within the vicinity of the idler 32. Thesearcuate members 66 and 68, in combination with the dispensing container.48, serve to effectively divide the section 17 of the cassette 10 intoa first compartment 70 sealed in a lighttight manner from a secondcompartment 72. Additionally, it will be noted that in the illustratedpreferred embodiment the supply spool 20, the light sealing arcuatemember 66 and a wall 74 of the dispensing container 48 share a commoncenter of curvature. Thus the arcuate member 66 and the wall 74 furtherserve to control the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24coiled around the supply spool 20 within the cassette 10. Similarly, thetakeup spool 22 and the light sealing arcuate member 68 share a commoncenter of curvature and, consequently, the arcuate member 68 serves tocontrol the disposition of that portion of the film strip 24 coiledaround the takeup spool within the cassette 10.

It should also be noted at this point that the wall 64 of the cassette10 is provided with an opening 76 communicating with the aforementionedopening 18 of the cassette. As will subsequently become more apparent,this opening 76 permits light rays from an external light source to beintroduced into the cassette for film projection purposes. I

As shown in FIG. 1, a resilient member 78 is connected to the insideface of the wall 64 by any suitable means, such as rivets 80, andextends over and in spaced relationship to the end surfaces 82 and 84 ofthe idlers 32and 34, respectively. Provided in the wall 64 is anaperture 86 disposed over the resilient member 78 whereby an externalforce applying member may be selectivelyintroduced into the cassette 10to urge the resilient members end portions 88 and 90 into frictionalengagement with the idlers 32 and 34, respec-' tively, to restrainfurther rotational movement of those idlers. In order to effectivelylight seal the interior of the cassette 10, a ring92 mounted on theresilient member 78 is coaxially disposed with respect to the aperture86 and adapted to seat in an annular recess 94 of the wall 64. Mountedwithin compartment 72 of the cassette 10 so as to be in alignment withthe opening 18 is a pressure plate assembly 96 in which is mounted. alight reflecting element 98. It will be noted that this light reflectingelement 98 is disposed in operable relationship to both the opening 18andthe opening 76 of the cassette 10. In the preferred-embodiment, thelight reflecting element 98 is prismatic in nature and includes aconcave light receiving transparent face 100 and a flat reflectingsurface 102 which reflects light received into the element through thelight receiving face 100 outwardly thereof through a convex transparentface 104.

The pressure plate assembly 96 includes a leaf spring 106 which seatsagainst a boss 108 formed integrally with the housing member 12 tocontinually urge the pressure plate assembly towards the cassettesopening 18. The pressure plate assembly 96 is mounted within thecassette 10 so that it may be displaced inwardly of the cassette fromthe opening 18 when the aperture plate of a camera or a projector ispositioned in operative relationship therewith. Forming part of thepressure plate assembly 96 is a mounting bracket 1 10 which serves tofixedly position the light reflecting element 98 with respect to thepressure plate assembly and, more particularly, with respect to anaperture 112 of that assembly. While the particular form of pressureplate assembly 96 and light reflecting element 9.8 do not constitutepart of the present invention, they may advantageously take the form ofthe pressure plate assembly described in the aforementioned copendingapplication Ser. No. 838,822 and of the light reflecting elementdescribed in the copending application Ser.

" No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing, filed Oct. 15, 1968.

The spools 20 and 22 are respectively provided with fluted recesses 114and 116 which are adapted to receive externally mounted drive meansthrough apertures 115 and 117 appropriately provided through thecassettes wall 64. Thus the cassette 10 includes means for reversiblytransporting the strip of photographic material 24 between the supplyspool 20 and the takeup spool 22 across the dispensing containersprojection 300 and the pressure plate assembly 96. The cassettes opening18 constitutes a film gate adapted to serve as an exposure stationduring a first pass of the photosensitive film strip 24 across thepressure plate assembly 96 and as a projection station during subsequentoperations in which the film strip, in a fully processed condition, isadvanced from the supply spool 20 to the takeup spool 22.

Idler 30, around which the film strip 24 passes on its way from the:supply spool 20 to. the pressure plate assembly 96 may, if desired, bemounted on a movable post spring biased toward the corner which itoccupies in the housing of the cassette 10 and capable of being movedresiliently inward away from that comer. Also,

idler 32 may be spring biased toward the comer which it occupies in thehousing of the cassette 10 and capable of being moved resiliently inwardaway from that corner. This represents one way to minimize strainexerted on the film strip 24 by the conventional intermittent filmadvancement structure during these exposure and projection operations.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the housingmember 12 is provided with a pair of channels 118 and 120 adjacentrespective sides of its 'plate 14 and the frame member 12 adjacent therupturable pod 36. The end of the plate 14 includes a pair of openings134 and 136, which in the illustrative embodiment are formed by cornercut-outs in that end of the plate, for a purpose which will subsequentlybecome obvious. This plate 14 is formed with a V- shaped rib 138extending from its inside face so as to initially bear against the pod36 to displace the processing fluid 58 contained therein towards theopposed ends thereof away from the rib 138. Preferably the height ofthis rib 138 is such that substantially no processing fluid is initiallydisposed between that member and the support surface 140 of the housingmember 12. Since the cover plate 14 is flexible, this arrangementprevents premature accidental-rupturing of the pod 36 responsive to anexternal force bearing against the outside face of the cover plate.Altemately, the opposed walls of the pod 36 may be sealed together alonga section thereof against which the rib 138 is adapted to initiallyseat.

It will be'appreciated that the housing members 11 and 12, as well asvarious elements associated therewith, e.g., the light sealing members66 and 68 and the boss 160, may, for example, be formed from a suitablethermoplastic resin, such as an'acrylic or a is V-shaped thereby furtherfacilitating the flexing of the cover plate 14 in a direction away fromthe pod 36. Obviously, in many applications the flexible characteristicof the material from which the cover plate 14 is formed will be adequateand the rib 138 need not be V shaped. In such instances, the outsideface of the cover plate 14 may present a continuously flat surface.

It will be noticed that one end of the V-shaped rib 138 is formed with ataper 142 while its other end 144 terminates in a sharp right angleturn. Additionally, the cover plate 14 has an aperture 146 passingtherethrough adjacent the end 144 of the V-sh'aped rib 138. Thisaperture 146 provides visible access to the operator into theinterior ofthe cassettes recessed portion 13. The purposes for these features willsubsequently become apparent.

The rupturable pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 connected theretomay be formed of any suitable materials. Typically, the walls of therupturable pod 36 may consist of an outer layer of pouch or glassinepaper, an intermediate layer of lead foil and an inner liner ofpolyvinylchloride material. The polyvinylchloride liners may be'bondedtogether adjacent their edge portions to effect the sealing of the fluidfilled cavity with the seal 38 being substantially weaker than the sealsaround the other edges of the pod 36. Typically, the walls of the fluidfeeding device 40 may be formed of an outer layer of pouch or glassinepaper bonded to an inner layer of polyethylene material. Again thepolyethylene material layers may be bonded together where appropriateand also bonded to the outer layer of the walls of the pod 36 to connectthe fluid feeding device to the pod. Preferably the outside surface ofthe assembly comprising the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40 adjacentthe support surface 140 is adhered thereto by any suitable means tofixedly position that assembly within the recess 13.

It will thus be appreciated that a pair of force applying arms 148and150 (see FIG. 3) may be introduced into the section 15 of the cassettethrough the openings 134 and 136, respectively, in the cover plate 14 soas to engage the rod 132 and to displace it from its original position,as shown in FIG. 3, along the assembly comprising the rupturable pod 36and the fluid feeding device 40 to its position shown in phantom in thatfigure of the drawings. In the course of such a displacement of the rod132, the taper 142 of the rib 138 facilitates the movement of the rodonto the rib, while the sharply angled configuration of the other end144 of the rib serves to fixedly position the rod within the recess 13once it has been displaced from its initial position to its positionshown in phantom in FIG. 3. As the rod travels along the pod 36 and thefluid feeding device 40, the cover plate 14 is deflected from itsinitial position to its position shown in phantom in FIGS. 4 and 5 ofthe drawings. At the same time, the resilient force of the flexiblecover plate 14 serves to firmly press the rod 132; against first the pod36 and then the fluid feeding device 40. In some applications this forcewill be insufficient by itself to effect a rupturing of the pod 36.Under such circumstances a restraining member may be positioned adjacentand in carefully spaced relationship to the outside face of the flexiblecover plate 14. Such a restraining member serves to preclude the rod 132from deflecting the plate 14 greater than a predetermined distance awayfrom the pod 36 whereby the rod presses against the pod with sufficientforce to rupture the pod and to cause the fluid 58 to be expelledtherefrom into the reservoir chamber 46.

After the strip of photographic material 24 has been exposed with thecassette 10 mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) during itstravel from the supply spool 20 onto the takeup spool 22, it ispreferably processed and projected with the cassette mounted in aspecially devised processor-projector unit 152 diagrammaticallyillustrated in part in FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawings-As shown therein,the unit 152 in= cludes a cassette receiving chamber 154 formed ofinterconnected support plates 156, 158, 160, 162 and 164. A plurality ofelongated standoffs 166 mounted on the aforementioned support plates andextending from those plates .interiorly of the cassette receivingchamber 154 serve to first guide the cassette 10 into that chamber and,once the cassette has been fully inserted thereinto, to support andalign the cassette. Typically, the support plates 156, 158, 160, 162 and164' are formed from a material such as stainless steel while theelongated standoffs 166 are formed from a polymeric material such aspolytetrafluoroethylene.

Preferably, the cassette receiving chamber 154 is oriented within theprocessor-projector unit 152 so that the cassette 10 is insertedvertically downward thereinto (as'viewed in FIGS. 6 and 7) through aslot (not shown) in the top panel 168 of that unit.

A pair of rigid arms 172 and 174, which may be formed integrally withthe support plate 162, extend from the support plate 162 and curveupwardly into parallel relationship therewith. These arms 172 and 174are positioned and configured to pass under a portion .of the cassette10 and into the openings 134 and 136, respectively, of the cassettescover plate 14 when the cassette is fully inserted into theprocessor-projector unit 152. The length of these arms 172 and 174 issuch that when the cassette has been seated against the standoffs 166attached to the support plate 164, they have effected a displacement ofthe rod 132 from its in itial position within the cassette to itsposition shown therein in phantom in FIGS. 3 and 7. The position of thearms 172 and 174 within the cassette 10 after the cassette has beenfully inserted into the receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projectorunit 152 is shown in phantom in the illustration of the cassette in FIG.7.

A roller 176 is mounted from the support plate 158 so as toengage theoutside face of the cassettes housing member 11 as the cassette 10 isinserted into the processor-projector units receiving chamber 154. Themounting arrangement for this roller 176 precludes displacement of theroller in a right or left handed direction as viewed in FIG. 6 of thedrawings. Connected to the support plate 162 is a leaf spring 178 whichextends over a cut-out portion 182 of that support plate and on which ismounted a second roller 181). The leaf spring 178 is initially seatedagainst the outside face of the support plate 162 with the rollerextending through the cut-out portion 182 of that plate. These rollers176 and 180 are positioned in vertical alignment with each other and theends of the arms 171) and 172, with the initial spacing therebetweenbeing l3 slightly greater than the distance between the outside faces ofthecassettes cover. plate 14 and housing member 11; As the cassette 10is inserted into the processor-projector unit 152, the arms 172 and 174effect a progressive displacement of the rod 132 across the rupturablepod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 in the course of whichdisplacement the cover plate 14 is deflected by the rod away from thepod 36. In deflecting, the cover plate 14 engages the peripheral surfaceof the roller 180 and effects adisplacement of that roller in a lefthanded direction as viewed in FIG. 5 against the force exerted thereonby the spring 178. The strength of the spring 178 is such that the rod132 ispressed against the pod 36 and fluid feeding device 40 withsufficient force to effect a rupturing of the pods weakened seal. 38 andto expel the processing fluid 58 from the pod into the dispensingcontainers reservoir chamber 46. 'Also, the spring178 is designed sothat it will exert a substantially constant force on the cassettes coverplate 14 regardless'of the extent to which it is displaced by the coverplate. This arrangement, in combination with a rib 138 of substantialheight, accommodates for acceptable manufacturing tolerances associatedwith the production of the eassette. More specifically, the fact thatthe rib 138 has a substantial height imparts a substantial amount ofdeflection t0 the cover plate 14 as the rod 132 is dis placed within thecassette and the initial positions of the rollers 176 and 180 permitscassettes of slightly varying thicknesses to be inserted therebetween.Thus, a predetermined force is exerted against pod'36 even though theremay be slight differences between the thicknesses of the cassette 10inwhich they are housed. During the deflection of the cover plate 14, theroller 176 serves to support the cassettes frame member 11 so that it isnot distorted by the forces associated with the displacement of therod132. These rollers 176 and 180 may be formed of any suitable materialsuch as nylonor hard rubber.

Extending through the processor-projector units support plate 164 is atelescoping container 184 comprising a first section 186 fixedly mountedto the support plate 164 and a second section 188 slideably disposedthrough the support plate 1641A compression spring 190 housed within thecontainer 184 continually urges the two sections 186 and 184 of thatcontainer into their fully extended positions as shown in FIG. 7. Springmounted from the processor-projector units support plate 162 andextending through an opening 194 therein, is a latch 196. This latch 196is adapted to seat in a recess 192 provided in the outside face of thecassettes housing member 12 when the cassette 10 is fully inserted intothe receiving chamber 154. The spring 193 terminates in a finger portion198 which may be selectively engaged by conventional means (not shown inthese figures of the drawing) extending through the processor-projectorunits top panel 168 to displace the spring in a direction away from thesupport plate 162 so that the latch 196 is disengaged from the cassettesrecess 192.

It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10 is inserted into theprocessor-projector units receiving chamber 154 against the force of thecompression spring 190 causing the first section 186 of the telescopingcontainer 184 to be displaced inwardly of the containers second section188-. Once the cassette 10 has been fully seated in the receivingchamber 154 of the processor-projector unit 152, the latch 1 enters thecassettes recess 192 to restrain the cassette in that unit against theforce of the compressed spring When the operator causes the spring 193to be displaced in a direction away from the support plate 162, thelatch 196 is withdrawn from the recess 192 and the spring 190 will ejectthe cassette 10 from the processor-projector unit 152. It is preferredthat this spring 190 be configured to displace the cassette 10 upwardlywithin the receiving chamber 154 to a position where it is easilyaccessible for manual removal from the unit 152, rather than to actuallypropel the cassette from that unit'However, it is to be understood thatas used herein the terms ejecting," ejection, etc. are employed in abroad sense, i.e., to cover either of these situations.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT To summarize the operation of thepreferred embodiment of this invention, the cassette 10 is initiallyfurnished with substantially all of the film strip 24. in an unexposedcondition coiled on the supply spool 20, the processing fluid 58retained inthe rupturable pod 36, the 'rod 132 disposed in its positionshown in FIG. 5 of the drawings and with the film strip 24 positionedintermediate of, and in spaced relationship to, the projection 300 andthe support plate 330 (See FIG. 1). For exposure purposes, the cassette10 is mounted in an appropriate camera (not shown) with the drive meansof the camera engaging the recess 1 16 of the takeup spool 22 throughafriction clutching arrangement as is conventional. While the particularcamera employed does not form part of the present invention, it mayadvantageously take the form of that described in the aforementionedcopending application Ser. No. 813,427, filed Apr. 4, 1969. It will benoted that the camera described in that application includes a doormounted pin which automatically enters the cassette 10 through itsaperture 86 to snub'the idlers 32 and 34 whenever the cassette ismounted therein. The aperture plate of the camera, which may also take aconven tional form, operably engages the cassettes pressure plateassembly% to position the section of the film strip 24 disposedthereacross in the proper focal plane. Also, a conventional intermittentfilm advancement mechanism of the camera engages the perforations 25 ofthe film strip 24 to effect proper step advancement of the film stripalong the pressure plate assembly 96. In this manner, the operator canselectively record images on the photosensitive film strip 24 as ittraverses the cassettes opening 18 on its way from the supply spool 20to the takeup spool 22. In the embodiment illustrated, thephotosensitive surface of the film strip 24 faces inwardly of thecassette 10 such that exposure of the photosensitive emulsion iseffected through the transparent film base. After the film strip 24 hasbeen completely exposed, the cassette 10 can be quickly removed from thecamera and replaced, when desired, by an identical cassette containingunexposed film.

The cassette 10 is now ready to be inserted into the unit 152 forprocessing and projection operations. During the process of insertingthe cassette 10 into the processor-projector unit 152, the arms 172 and174 of that unit automatically effect a displacement of rod 132 acrossthe pod 36 and the fluid feeding device 40 resultingin a rupturing ofthe pod, the processing fluid 58 initially retained therein beingexpelled therefrom through the fluid feeding device into the, dispensingcQ tainers reservoir chamber 48;. Whenthe cassette has been seatedagainst the standoffs 166 extending from the processor-projector unitssupport plate 164, the latch 196 engages the cassettes recess 192 torestrain the cassette in the processor-projector unit 152 against theforce exerted thereon by the telescoping container 184.

At this time a pin (not shown) of the processor-projector unit 152 iscaused to be inserted into the cassette through the elongated slot 316to engage the circular aperture314 of the actuator 308 and to displacethat actuator intoits position wherein the strip of flexible material328 is disposed in an unsealing relationship to the dispensing container48 and the support plate 330 engages the strip of photographic material24 against the strip of flexible material. Also, at this time the flutedrecesses 114 and 1 16 of the cassettes supply spool and takeup spool 22,respectively, are engaged by drive shafts 400 and 402 (See FIG. 6)slidably mountedin the processor-projector unit 152. These shafts 400and 402 are connected in a conventional manner to a motor (not shown) inorder to facilitate selective reversible transport of the film strip 24between the supply spool 20 and the takeup spool 22.

As is conventional, the drive shaft which engages the takeup spool 22.is connected to the motor through a friction clutching arrangement. Bynow turning an appropriate switch, located on the control panel (notshown) of the processor-projector unit 152, the exposed strip ofmaterial 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22 to the supply spool 20.During this sequence, the exposed photographic film strip 24 passesacross the rectangular projection 300 and draws processing fluid 58 fromthe dispensing container 48 to form a uniform fluid coating along itsentire length. In this respect, it will be noted that, with the cassette10 inserted into the unit 152, the projection 300 is disposed at thelowermost point of the dispensing container 48 and the force of gravitycauses processing fluid 58 to be continually fed towards the film strip24 from the reservoir chamber 46.

The motor of the processor-projector unit 152 is automaticallyde-energized by conventional means.(not shown) as soon as the entirelength of exposed film strip 24 has been drawn across the projection 300onto the supply spool 20. At this time, the pin of theprocessor-projector unit 152 engaging the cassettes actuator 308 shouldbe withdrawn from the cassette 10 to permit the film strip 24 to returnto a position where it is disposed out of contact with the strip offlexible material 328 and the support plate 330 and the strip offlexible material once again seals the dispensing container 48.Additionally, the operator should now efiect a snubbing of the cassettesidlers 32 and 34. This may be accomplished by displacing a pin (notshown) mounted in the processor-projector unit adjacent the cassettesaperture 86 into engagement with the cassettes resilient member 78.

The processor-projector unit 152 also includes other conventional meansnot illustrated in the drawings associated with the projection of thevisible images recorded on the fullyjprocejsse dfilm strip 24. Theseinclude an aperture plate and an intermittent film advancement mechanismpositioned in operable relation.- ship to the cassettes pressure plateassembly 96 through the cassettes opening 18 and a light sourcepositioned in operable relationship to the cassettes opening 76.Additionally, such other conventional means include a shutter mechanismand a lens system. By now turning another switch located on the controlpanel of the processor-projector unit 152, that units light source andmotor are simultaneously energized, in

this instance the motor driving both the aforemem.

tioned intermittent film advancement mechanism of the unit 152 and thetakeup spool 22 of the cassette 10. As the now fully processed filmstrip 24 is once again drawn across the cassettes opening 18 onto thetakeup spool 22, visible images'contained thereon are projected forviewing purposes. In this connectiomthe rocessorro'ector unitsa erturelate actin a ainst P P J P P 8 8 the cassettes pressure plate assembly%accurately positions the section of film strip 24 disposed therebetweenat the proper film plane for projection purposes. Simultaneously, lightrays from the light source of the processor-projector unit 152 enter thecassette 10 through its opening 76 and are redirected by the lightreflecting element 98 through the aperture 112 in the pressure plateassembly 96 and the sections of the film strip 24 intermittentlypositioned thereover outwardly of the cassette through its opening 18.Again, conventional means (not shown) automatically tie-energize thelight source and motor of the processor-projector unit 1152 once thevisible images on the entire processed film strip 24 have beenprojected.

Preferably, the film strip 24 is returned from the takeup spool 22 tothe supply spool 20 before removing the cassette 10 from theprocessor-projector unit 152 Removal of the cassette 10 from theprocessonprojector unit 152 is effected by deflecting the spring 193 sothat the latch 196 connected thereto is disengaged from the cassettesrecess 192. Once the latch 196 is removed from the recess 192, the forceof the telescoping container 184 acting against the cassette 10automatically ejects the cassette from the processor-projector unit 152.

The cassette 10 may be stored in this condition until it is once againdesired to view the fully processed film strip 24 retained therein. Inthis respect, the operator may readily determine whether the film strip24 within a particular cassette 10 has been processed. As previouslyindicated, if the rod 132 is visible through the aperture 146 in thecassettes cover plate 14, the film strip 24 within the cassette has beenprocessed. Advantageously, the cassettes pod 36 and cover plate 14, andthe rod 132 have sharplycontrasting colors. For instance, the pod 36 andplate 14 may be black and the rod yellow. It will thus be quicklyapparent to the operator when the rod 132 within a particular cassette11) has been displaced to effect a rupturing of the pod 36 containedtherein.

Editing of the developed film strip 24 can easily be effected. It isonly necessary to draw a loop of the film strip 24 from the cassettesopening 18 and to remove sections therefrom or to splice sectionsthereinto as desired.

An alternate embodiment of the means for effecting a displacement of therod 132 within the cassette is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 of thedrawings. The same numerals primed are employed in those figures todenote parts of that embodiment which remain substantially unchangedfrom the embodiment illustrated in other figures of the drawings.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, a cassette 10' is shown fully insertedinto the cassette receiving chamber 154 of a processor-projector 152. Inthis particular unit 152', the cassette receiving chamber 154' is, inpart, formedby a support member 200, a portion 202 of which extendsbelow the receiving chamber. Mounted from the inside face of the supportidentical in form and function to rollers 176 and 180 described inconnection with the first embodiment of the invention.

member 200 and its extended portion 202 are a pair of spaced apartparallel guide members 204 and 206 between which another plate 208 isslidea'bly disposed. A pair of rigid arms 210 and 212, which may beformed integrallywith the plate 208, extend from that plate intoparallel relationship therewith. Mounted on the plate 208 and extendingin parallel relationship to, and intermediate of, the arms 210 and 212is a rack 214. This rack 214 is engaged by a pinion 216 driven by amotor 218. A normally opened switch or button 220, accessible to theoperator of the processor-projector unit 152, is connected in serieswith the motor 218 and a power source 222 of the processor-projectorunit 152'. Also connected in series with the power source 222 and themotor 218 of the processor-projector unit 152 is a normally closedswitch 224.

As shown in FIG. 8, a spring mounted button 226 is mounted through theprocessor-projector units top panel 168' so as to be in alignment withthe finger portion 198' of the latch 196'. This arrangement is identicalto that mentioned but not illustrated in connection with the otherembodiment of this invention. It permits the latch 196 to be selectivelydisplaced out of the ca'ssettes recess 192' to permit the telescopingcontainer 184' to eject the cassette 10' from the processor-projectorunit 152'.

It will thus be appreciated that the cassette 10' may be inserted intothe receiving chamber 154 of the processor-projector unit 152 free frominterference with the arms 210 and 212 (see FIG. 8). In thisarrangement, it is not necessary to overcome the force required torupture the pod 36', during the cassette insertion process. During thisinsertion process, the section 188' of the telescoping container 184' isdisplaced into the containers section 186' against the force of thespring 190'. When the cassette is fully inserted into theprocessor-projector unit 152, the latch 196' enters the cassettes recess192 to restrain the cassette in that unit against the force of thespring 190'.

By closing the switch 220, the operator may effect a rupturing of thepod 36'. In this connection, the pinion 216 attached to the motor 218drives against the rack 214 so that the arms 210 and 212, which aremounted on the same plate 208 as the rack, are introduced into thecassette 10' through the openings 134' and 136', respectively, in thecassettes cover plate 14'. The arms 210 and 212 effect a displacement ofthe rod 132' across the pod 36 and the fluid feeding device Thisembodiment also includes rollers (not shown) It will be noted that a pin228 extends from the rear face of the plate 208 through an appropriateopening in the support plate 202 and is positioned on that plate 208 soas to trip the switch 224 at such time as the rod 132' has beendisplaced to its final position within the section 15' of the cassette10. The uppermost position of the pin 228 is shown in phantom in FIG. 8wherein the pin is designated 228'. When the switch 224 is tripped, theweight of the plate 208 and of the arms 210 and 212 and the rack 214attached thereto automatically returns the plate 208 -to its originalposition within the processor-projector unit 152' along guide members204 and 206. Whendesired the operator may eject the cassette 10- fromthe processor-projector unit 152 by depressing the spring mounted button226.

Those familiar with the motion picture arts will readily appreciate the.novel and highly unique advantages of this invention. Most importantly,a processing fluid containing pod means for rupturing that pod arepermanently housed under a cover plate which prevents prematureaccidental rupturing of the pod and permitsan external force applyingmember to actuate the pod rupturing means.

The term projector is used herein in a comprehensive sense, i.e., tobroadly refer to those systems wherein the visible images recorded on asheet of material are re-imaged for viewing purposes and is notrestricted to only those systems in which the recorded visible imagesare projected onto a screen of one type or another.

Thisinvention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferredembodiments described herein are therefore illustrative and notrestrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appendedclaims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claimsare intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A cassette adapted to be inserted as a unit into photographicequipment, comprising:

a strip of photographic material;

a support surface;

a rupturable pod for initially storing a quantity of processing fluidand having a weakened portion adapted to rupture in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said pod, said pod being positionedadjacent said support surface;

an applicator in communication with said weakened portion of said pod sothat such processing fluid may be fed to said applicator from said podwhen i said pod is ruptured;

means for protecting said pod from premature accidental ruptureincluding a flexible cover plate overlaying said pod, said cover plateincluding a rib extending from a face thereof adjacent said pod I to.initially bear against said pod to displace such fluid in oppositedirections away from said rib within said pod without rupturing saidpod, whereby said rib engages said pod against said support surface,with substantially no such fluid interposed between said rib and saidsupport surface; means for rupturing said pod and expelling such fluidtherefrom; and means responsive to drive means of such equipment whensaid cassette is mounted therein for effecting relative motion betweensaid applicator and said strip of photographic material whereby saidapplicator applies a coating of such fluid received from said pod acrossa surface of said photographic material. 2. The cassette of claim 1wherein said rib is V- shaped.

3. In a cassette for handling a strip of photographic material, theimprovement comprising:

an enclosed opaque housing configured to be inserted into a photographicapparatus having a recessed portion formed in the outside face thereof;

a cover plate overlaying said recessed portion and connected to saidhousing;

a rupturable pod positioned within said recessed portion of saidhousing, said rupturable pod being adapted to hold a quantity ofprocessing fluid and having aweakened portion adapted to rupture inresponse to a predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluidwhen pressure is applied to the exterior of said pod;

astrip of photographic material coiled within said housing; I

an applicatorin communication with said weakened portion of said pod sothat such processing fluid may be fed to said applicator from said podwhen said pod is ruptured;

means for rupturing said pod and expelling such fluid therefrom, saidmeans including a substantially rigid means initially mounted adjacentan extremity of said pod spaced from said weakened portion of said podand adapted to be subsequently displaced across said pod toward saidweakened portion thereof intermediate to said cover plate and said podresponsive to actuating means independent of said cassette, said coverplate serving to urge said rigid member against said pod as it isdisplaced thereacross; and

means responsive to drive means of such apparatus when said cassette ismounted therein for progressively transporting said strip ofphotographic material into operative relationship with said applicator.

4. A photographic cassette adapted to be inserted as a unit intophotographic equipment, comprising:

a strip of photographic material;

a container for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid andhaving a portion adapted to release such fluid in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said container;

an applicator in communication with said portion of said container sothat such processing fluid may be fed to said applicator from saidcontainer when said fluid is released; and

first means for expelling such fluid from said container, said firstmeans including a support surface against which said container ispositioned, a substantially rigid member initially mounted adjacent anextremity of said container spaced from said portion of said containerand adapted to be subsequently displaced across said container towardssaid portion thereof and means extending across said container along thepath said rigid member is adapted to be displaced for urging said rigidmember against said container during displacement of said rigid member,said means extending across said container comprising a flexible coverplate overlaying said container in spaced apart relationship to saidsupport surface, said rigid member being positioned for displacementalong said container intermediate said container and said cover plate,said cover plate including a rib extending from the face thereofadjacent said container and extending along said cover plate in thedirection of the displacement of said substantially rigid member acrosssaid container, said rib being configured to initially bear against saidcontainer to displace such fluid in opposite directions away from saidrib within said container without causing such fluid to be. expelledfrom said container, whereby said rib initially engages said containeragainst said support surface with substantially no .such fluidinterposed between said rib and said support surface so that said coverplate effectively prevents premature release of such fluid from saidcontainer responsive to an external force bearing against said coverplate.

5. The cassette of claim 4 wherein said rib presents an edge surfacesubstantially parallel to said support surface extending a distanceintermediate the distance said rigid member is adapted to be displacedwithin said cassette, said rigid member initially being positionedbetween said support surface and one portion of said cover plateextending beyond said edge surface of said rib, said rigid member isengaged by saidrib causing said cover plate to deflect in a directionaway from said container as said rigid member is displaced along saidcontainer and said rigid member is positioned intermediate said supportsurface and the other portion of said cover plate extending beyond saidedge surface of said rib after being displaced alongsaid container.

6. The cassette of claim 4 wherein said rib is V- shaped and formedintegrally with said cover plate to facilitate the flexing of said covermember is displaced therealong.

7. A photographic film handling cassette comprising:

a substantially opaque housing configured to be mounted into aphotographic apparatus;

a strip of photographic material stored within said housing;

a support surface;

' a container positioned against said support surface for initiallystoring a quantity of processing fluid and having a portion adapted torelease such fluid in response to a predetermined hydraulic pressuredeveloped in such fluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of saidcontainer;

an applicator in communication with said portion of said container sothat such processing fluid may be fed to said applicator from saidcontainer when said fluid is released;

plate as said rigid first means for expelling such fluid from saidcontainer, said first means including a substantially rigid memberinitially mounted adjacent an extremity of said container spaced fromsaid portion of said container and adapted to be subsequently displacedacross said container towards said portion thereof responsive toactuating means independent of said cassette and means extending acrosssaid container along the path said rigid member is adapted to bedisplaced for urging said rigid member against said container during thedisplacement of said rigid member, said rigid member urging meanscomprising a cover plate overlaying said container in spaced apartrelationship to said support surface with said rigid member beingpositioned for displacement along said container intermediate saidcontainer and said cover plate; and second means responsive to drivemeans of such apparatus when said cassette is mounted therein foreffecting relative motion between said applicator and said strip ofphotographic material whereby said applicator applies a coating of suchfluid received from said container across a surface of said photographicmaterial. 8. The cassette of claim 7 wherein said cover plate isflexible.

9. The cassette of claim 7 wherein said cover plate includes means forproviding visual access therethrough adjacent the final position towhich said rigid member is adapted to be displaced within said cassettethus providing said cassette with an indication readily discernible byan operator as to whether its strip v 22 an elongated strip ofphotographic material stored within said housing;

asupport surface first means for permitting image-carrying light rays tobe introduced into said housing, said first means comprising an openingin said housing;

-a collapsible container positioned against said support surfacesaid-housing for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid andhaving a portion adapted to release such fluid in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said container; an applicator incommunication with said portion of said container so that suchprocessing fluid may be fed'to said applicator-from said container whensaid fluid is released therefrom; second means for expelling such fluidfrom said container, said second means including a substantially rigidmember initially mounted adjacent an extremity of said container spacedfrom said portion of said container and adapted to be subsequentlydisplaced across said container towards said portion thereo res nsive toact' iating means ir dependent o sai cassette an means exten mg acrosssaid container along the path said rigid member is adapted to bedisplaced for urging said rigid member against said container during thedis placement of said rigid member, said rigid member urging meanscomprising a. cover plate overlaying said container in spaced apartrelationship to said support surface with said rigid member beingpositioned for displacement along said container intermediate saidcontainer and said cover plate; and third means responsive to externallymounted drive means for progressively transporting said strip ofphotographic material across said opening to facilitate film exposureoperations and to progressively transport said exposed strip ofphotographic material across said applicator to facilitate filmprocessing operations.

1. A cassette adapted to be inserted as a unit into photographicequipment, comprising: a strip of photographic material; a supportsurface; a rupturable pod for initially storing a quantity of processingfluid and having a weakened portion adapted to rupture in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said pod, said pod being positionedadjacent said support surface; an applicator in communication with saidweakened portion of said pod so that such processing fluid may be fed tosaid applicator from said pod when said pod is ruptured; means forprotecting said pod from premature accidental rupture including aflexible cover plate overlaying said pod, said cover plate including arib extending from a face thereof adjacent said pod to initially bearagainst said pod to displace such fluid in opposite directions away fromsaid rib within said pod without rupturing said pod, whereby said ribengages said pod against said support surface with substantially no suchfluid interposed between said rib and said support surface; means forrupturing said pod and expelling such fluid therefrom; and meansresponsive to drive means of such equipment when said cassette ismounted therein for effecting relative motion between said applicatorand said strip of photographic material whereby said applicator appliesa coating of sucH fluid received from said pod across a surface of saidphotographic material.
 2. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said rib isV-shaped.
 3. In a cassette for handling a strip of photographicmaterial, the improvement comprising: an enclosed opaque housingconfigured to be inserted into a photographic apparatus having arecessed portion formed in the outside face thereof; a cover plateoverlaying said recessed portion and connected to said housing; arupturable pod positioned within said recessed portion of said housing,said rupturable pod being adapted to hold a quantity of processing fluidand having a weakened portion adapted to rupture in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said pod; a strip of photographic materialcoiled within said housing; an applicator in communication with saidweakened portion of said pod so that such processing fluid may be fed tosaid applicator from said pod when said pod is ruptured; means forrupturing said pod and expelling such fluid therefrom, said meansincluding a substantially rigid means initially mounted adjacent anextremity of said pod spaced from said weakened portion of said pod andadapted to be subsequently displaced across said pod toward saidweakened portion thereof intermediate to said cover plate and said podresponsive to actuating means independent of said cassette, said coverplate serving to urge said rigid member against said pod as it isdisplaced thereacross; and means responsive to drive means of suchapparatus when said cassette is mounted therein for progressivelytransporting said strip of photographic material into operativerelationship with said applicator.
 4. A photographic cassette adapted tobe inserted as a unit into photographic equipment, comprising: a stripof photographic material; a container for initially storing a quantityof processing fluid and having a portion adapted to release such fluidin response to a predetermined hydraulic pressure developed in suchfluid when pressure is applied to the exterior of said container; anapplicator in communication with said portion of said container so thatsuch processing fluid may be fed to said applicator from said containerwhen said fluid is released; and first means for expelling such fluidfrom said container, said first means including a support surfaceagainst which said container is positioned, a substantially rigid memberinitially mounted adjacent an extremity of said container spaced fromsaid portion of said container and adapted to be subsequently displacedacross said container towards said portion thereof and means extendingacross said container along the path said rigid member is adapted to bedisplaced for urging said rigid member against said container duringdisplacement of said rigid member, said means extending across saidcontainer comprising a flexible cover plate overlaying said container inspaced apart relationship to said support surface, said rigid memberbeing positioned for displacement along said container intermediate saidcontainer and said cover plate, said cover plate including a ribextending from the face thereof adjacent said container and extendingalong said cover plate in the direction of the displacement of saidsubstantially rigid member across said container, said rib beingconfigured to initially bear against said container to displace suchfluid in opposite directions away from said rib within said containerwithout causing such fluid to be expelled from said container, wherebysaid rib initially engages said container against said support surfacewith substantially no such fluid interposed between said rib and saidsupport surface so that said cover plate effectively prevents prematurerelease of such fluid from said container responsive to an externalforce bearing against said cover plate.
 5. The cassette of claim 4wherein said rib presents an edge surface substantially parallel to saidsupport surface extending a distance intermediate the distance saidrigid member is adapted to be displaced within said cassette, said rigidmember initially being positioned between said support surface and oneportion of said cover plate extending beyond said edge surface of saidrib, said rigid member is engaged by said rib causing said cover plateto deflect in a direction away from said container as said rigid memberis displaced along said container and said rigid member is positionedintermediate said support surface and the other portion of said coverplate extending beyond said edge surface of said rib after beingdisplaced along said container.
 6. The cassette of claim 4 wherein saidrib is V-shaped and formed integrally with said cover plate tofacilitate the flexing of said cover plate as said rigid member isdisplaced therealong.
 7. A photographic film handling cassettecomprising: a substantially opaque housing configured to be mounted intoa photographic apparatus; a strip of photographic material stored withinsaid housing; a support surface; a container positioned against saidsupport surface for initially storing a quantity of processing fluid andhaving a portion adapted to release such fluid in response to apredetermined hydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressureis applied to the exterior of said container; an applicator incommunication with said portion of said container so that suchprocessing fluid may be fed to said applicator from said container whensaid fluid is released; first means for expelling such fluid from saidcontainer, said first means including a substantially rigid memberinitially mounted adjacent an extremity of said container spaced fromsaid portion of said container and adapted to be subsequently displacedacross said container towards said portion thereof responsive toactuating means independent of said cassette and means extending acrosssaid container along the path said rigid member is adapted to bedisplaced for urging said rigid member against said container during thedisplacement of said rigid member, said rigid member urging meanscomprising a cover plate overlaying said container in spaced apartrelationship to said support surface with said rigid member beingpositioned for displacement along said container intermediate saidcontainer and said cover plate; and second means responsive to drivemeans of such apparatus when said cassette is mounted therein foreffecting relative motion between said applicator and said strip ofphotographic material whereby said applicator applies a coating of suchfluid received from said container across a surface of said photographicmaterial.
 8. The cassette of claim 7 wherein said cover plate isflexible.
 9. The cassette of claim 7 wherein said cover plate includesmeans for providing visual access therethrough adjacent the finalposition to which said rigid member is adapted to be displaced withinsaid cassette thus providing said cassette with an indication readilydiscernible by an operator as to whether its strip of photographicmaterial has been treated with such fluid.
 10. A compact multipurposefilm handling cassette comprising: a substantially opaque housingconfigured to be first mounted in a camera to facilitate film exposureoperations and then in another photographic apparatus to facilitateanother photographic operation; an elongated strip of photographicmaterial stored within said housing; a support surface first means forpermitting image-carrying light rays to be introduced into said housing,said first means comprising an opening in said housing; a collapsiblecontainer positioned against said support surface within said housingfor initially storing a quantity of processing fluid and having aportion adapted to release such fluid in response to a predeterminedhydraulic pressure developed in such fluid when pressure is applied tothe exterior Of said container; an applicator in communication with saidportion of said container so that such processing fluid may be fed tosaid applicator from said container when said fluid is releasedtherefrom; second means for expelling such fluid from said container,said second means including a substantially rigid member initiallymounted adjacent an extremity of said container spaced from said portionof said container and adapted to be subsequently displaced across saidcontainer towards said portion thereof responsive to actuating meansindependent of said cassette and means extending across said containeralong the path said rigid member is adapted to be displaced for urgingsaid rigid member against said container during the displacement of saidrigid member, said rigid member urging means comprising a cover plateoverlaying said container in spaced apart relationship to said supportsurface with said rigid member being positioned for displacement alongsaid container intermediate said container and said cover plate; andthird means responsive to externally mounted drive means forprogressively transporting said strip of photographic material acrosssaid opening to facilitate film exposure operations and to progressivelytransport said exposed strip of photographic material across saidapplicator to facilitate film processing operations.